A NEW grammar school revolution in England will be rolled out with a £200 million fund unveiled by the Chancellor.

New grammar school revolution in England with £200 million fund, announced in the Autumn Statement

The new cash planned by Philip Hammond is in defiance of opponents in parliament to Theresa May's plans to boost social mobility in England.

In his Autumn Statement green book the Chancellor has set aside £50 million a year from 2017/18 to 2020/21, the last budget before the next election.

The funding follows a major announcement by the Prime Minister shortly after she took office that new grammar schools to help bright children from less well off backgrounds would be at the heart of her social reforms.

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At the time Mrs May said that selective schools can help the life chances of poor pupils, and argued that under the current system there is "selection by stealth" based on parents' wealth and ability to buy houses near the best schools.

But it comes despite threats by Tory MPs - including the privately educated former education secretary Nicky Morgan - to join Labour, SNP ad Lib Dem MPs to vote down the proposal.

PA

Philip Hammond delivering his first Autumn Statement as Chancellor of the Exchequer

Members of the House of Lords have also threatened to throw out the reforms despite having been welcomed by many ambitious parents in some of Britain's poorest communities.

Mr Hammond said: "The Government's education reforms have raised standards and expanded opportunity with 1.4 million more children now in 'good' or 'outstanding' schools.

"And the new capital funding I have provided today for grammar schools will help to continue that trend."

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Wed, March 8, 2017

Philip Hammond will deliver his Autumn Statement to MPs at the House of Commons detailing the government's spending and taxation plans today